Clippers Acquire Chauncey Billups Off Waivers

The Los Angeles Clippers have added veteran point guard Chauncey Billups off waivers on Monday, as the transfers and trades continue to heat up in the lockout-shortened 2011-2012 NBA season.

Billups was released by the New York Knicks on Friday via the new amnesty clause approved between team owners and players. “This is a different vehicle to acquire a player,” Clippers general manager Neil Olshey said according to ESPN. “We’re the first ones to do it (winning an amnesty auction) and I think there’s a little uncertainty with everybody on how the process is going to work. All I know is this is another great addition to our roster. ”

Under the amnesty clause, the Knicks will be allowed to scratch off Billups’ salary from their payroll but the team will still have to pay the pointguard his salary, which amounted to $14.2 million before the Clippers’ reported winning bid of $2 million. The acquisition of Billups comes amid the ongoing trade talks that could bring Chris Paul to the Clippers.